Four Nature Reserves In Nyingchi

WU YI & SOINAM PUNCOG

With an annual average temperature of 8.7 degrees Centigrade, Nyingchi in southeast China enjoys an annual precipitation of 665mm, along with an average of 2,022.2 hours a year, and an annual frost-free period of about 180 days. In Nyingchi, there are 3.74 million hectares of forest land, including 2.64 million hectares of forestry offering 882 million cubic meters of timber reserves. Trees cover 46 percent of the land in the prefecture, and make up 65 percent of the forests in Tibet as a whole. For the better preservation of the forest resources, including the wildlife, the State Council and the government of the Tibet Autonomous Region have set up five forest and wildlife nature reserves. These nature reserves cover an area of 201,200 hectares, making up 8 percent of forestland in Nyingchi. They provide a home for upwards of 90 percent of the wildlife in Tibet.

Medog: A Natural Museum

Medog is full of high mountains and deep ravines. It is part of the Mediterranean and South Asian seismic belts, with the result that landslides and mud-stone flows occur frequently. On August 15, 1950, a devastating earthquake hit the area, killing many. Its unique ecology, geology and ancient glaciers combine to make Medog a natural museum. To facilitate the protection and study of the area, the State-Class Medog Nature Reserve was set up. It is in three parts: Nylam Zangbo River Valley Nature Reserve, Burjun Lake Landscape Nature Reserve, and Deyang Gully Antelope Protection Center. Covering a total area of 62,620 hectares, it is a major Tibetan tropical ecosphere. In this nature reserve, there are 94 kinds of animals, over 160 kinds of birds, 38 kinds of reptiles, 17 kinds of amphibious animals, more than 1,980 types of insects, and some 3,000 plant varieties. Hopefully, Medog Nature Reserve will be renamed the State-Class Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon Nature Reserve, with the approval of the State Council.

Bome Gangxiang: Warehouse of Timber

This area is one of the modern glacier centers in the world. It belongs to the class of marine glaciers, being the result of the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon trapping the warm and humid air current flowing northward. Bome Gangxiang Nature Reserve covers 4,600 hectares, including 2,800 hectares of forests that make up 61 percent of the Bome area. Within the nature reserve are towering trees and abundant wildlife. When compared with other parts of China, this nature reserve sees the fastest, continuous growth of trees, dragon spruce in particular. Wildlife in this reserve includes antelope, leopards, argalis, black bears, monkeys and musk deer.

Zayu: World of Wild Plants and Animals

Located in southeast Tibet, where the Himalayas form a T shape, Zayu features a high northern part and lower southern part. Snow-capped high mountains are veiled in fog and their slopes teem with emerald trees where streams ripple down the mountains and animals make their home. The Zayu Nature Reserve has been set up here. Covering an area of 111,412 hectares, the nature reserve is composed of three parts: Ciba Gully Protection Area, set up to protect the natural ecology, Shuzhucun Yunnan Pine Trees Protection Area, and Lhamolongba Gully Subtropical Broadleaf Trees Protection Area. The nature reserve enjoys an annual precipitation of around 1,000mm. Tucked away at an elevation of 1,000-2,500 meters, it has an annual average temperature of 10-20 degrees Centigrade, an annual average humidity of 60-70 percent, and an annual frost-free period extending to 200 days. Mountains here have a difference of 3,000-4,000 meters in elevation. In the nature reserve there are eight forests. They are home to more than 1,000 species of higher plants, including those subject to State special protection and those found only in north China such as popular, willow and birch trees. Dense forests are also home for wildlife including tigers, brownish bears, golden cats, leopards, monkeys, river deer and pangolins.

Bagyi: Cypress Trees of Thousands of Years Old

Bagyi Township, a dozen km west of Nyingchi County, boasts 6,161 hectares of giant cypress trees, including some that have been growing for thousands of years. It is in this area that the Bagyi Giant Cypress Nature Reserve was set up for better protection of these old trees. The nature reserve provides an ideal home to Xiaofei parrots, which are subject to second-class State protection. Among the giant cypress trees growing in the nature reserve is one measuring 50 meters high and a maximum girth of 1,800 cm. Statistics show that the cypress tree is more than 2,500 years old. Hence, it is widely revered as the Tree God.